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Vashti Murphy McKenzie

Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie was consecrated the 117th Bishop of the AME Church in 2000, the first woman to hold this position. She currently presides over the Tenth Episcopal District, which encompasses the state of Texas.

Before entering the ministry, Bishop McKenzie had a career in journalism, beginning with the family-owned newspaper, the Baltimore, Afro-American, which was founded by her great-grandfather, John Henry Murphy. Her grandmother, Vashti Turley Murphy, was a founder of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Bishop McKenzie now serves as National Chaplain of the sorority.